Our buddies at Open Skies Airways are offering a RED HOT Summer Sale for flights to Paris from New York or Washington DC

We did a quick comparative pricing for flights to Paris from New York in August.  Open Skies came in at $1886 rt including all taxes and fees, while BA, DL & AA priced flights between $4,500 and $6000 for business class.  In fact pricing for coach on the ‘big boys’ was in the $1,200 range – so for just a few hundred dollars more, you enjoy a luxury business class airline.  Open Skies is less than 1/3 of the price of American and half the price of British Airways in business class – astounding!

Here’s our trip report of a recent journey on Open Skies from Washington DC to Paris in June.  We think you’ll love flying Open Skies!  If you can’t squeak out a vacation this summer, you’ll might be interested in their Early Fall Sale with prices staring at $700 each way.  The Fall sale must be booked by July 26th.  I can’t think of a better reason to jet off to Paris for a few days!

When you dream of a trip to Paris, does your hotel have a iconic Haussmann facade, a bustling lobby with sweeping views down broad boulevards, comfortable rooms with plush linens and cream colored marbled baths?  If this sounds like your Parisian fantasy, look no further than the Hotel du Louvre to fulfill your heart’s desire.

Linda and I had a brief but wonderful stay at the Hotel du Louvre at the end of our journey and it left us wistful to return again soon.  The hotel has an ideal location for culture enthusiasts, as you can easily walk to the Musee du Louvre, the D’Orsay, the Garnier Opera House, stroll through the arcades of the Rue de Rivoli just outside the door, or  walk across the square to the Comédie Française Theater for an evening performance.  No matter which direction you wander you will be embraced by some of Paris’ most delightful neighborhoods.    We strolled through nearby avenues doing our last minute shopping and had dinner at the hotel’s outdoor cafe.  The cafe was our least favorite memory of our otherwise wonderful stay (service slow, food just okay).   But breakfast the next morning in the newly redectorated Brasserie was excellent.

Here are 10 reasons you should stay at the Hotel du Louvre – you’ll want to return time and time again: 

• The hotel has recently gone through a major renovation.  Rooms are large and elegantly decorated with premium amenities.
• Luxury marble bathrooms are comfortable and impressive.
• Step into The Defender Lounge where the rich mahogany woodwork and deep red fabrics transport you back to an earlier age.  The lounge becomes a Jazz Club on Wed, Thurs and Fri evenings attracting a dedicated following of Parisians who drop in after Theatre.
• Built for the 1885 World Exposition, the hotel has a grand and storied history which predates the Eiffel Tower.
• The hotel staff is 100% fluent in English and the entire hotel is smoke free.
• If you are a running enthusiast, be sure to request one of their jogging maps which charts routes past memorable Paris sites.
• The hotel has wonderful views of the Louvre and the Garnier Opera House.  Numerous cafes, brasseries and boutiques are just outside the door.
• The staff at the lobby Concierge Desk are charming and helpful.
• There is a truly impressive breakfast buffet each morning in the Brasserie.  The breakfast buffet we encountered on Sunday morning wrapped around the 3 outer walls of the restaurant offering every morning nibble and indulgence you may have been dreaming of – exceptional.

You can stay at the Hotel du Louvre for surprisingly affordable rates.  The Hotel du Louvre is part of the Concorde Group of Hotels who are offering summer promotions – ‘Travel In Style’.  From June until the end of August guests receive discounts up to 30% along with extra promotional amenities.

Personally, I usually hate tours; I always feel like cattle be herded along, never quite hearing everything. Therefore, when Susan said we were taking a Paris Walks tour, I humored her and consented. After all, aren’t we the experts? Well, grab your camera and head out to meet Peter Caine, the co-founder of Paris Walks for a memorable 2 hour exploration. Unlike most tours that require advance reservations, anyone is welcome to join a Paris Walks tour by arriving at the designated Metro stop at the predetermined time.  We scanned the online calendar of tours and chose to learn more about the “Sinners and Saints” of the Marais, and what a fabulous time we had.

A little history lesson first, the Marais district has beautifully preserved medieval houses, ancient cobbled streets, lovely churches, intriguing antique shops, and devine boutiques and food shops  in the Village of St. Paul. The Marais is also the Jewish section, where you will see the Wall of the Righteous and the Shiloh project.  And the Marais is where the French Revolution fermented and exploded with the storming of the Bastille.  Over the centuries it has been a buggy swamp, a the chic address for noblemen and Kings, fallen in favor, and is now again the much desired arrondissement address in Paris.

The Shilio Project

What makes Paris Walks different than any other tour experience is simply, Peter. Peter is at once a dynamic entertainer and a skilled teacher.  He set the foundation for our tour by taking us to a garden and setting the stage.  In a circle, we all became the map of Paris.  Peter led us through the development of the city from marauding tribes in Medieval times, to the rein of multiple Louis,  through to the Nepoleans.  Peter is animated and engaging in everything he says. He makes you feel as if you were actually there, and of course, the anecdotal tales of characters are fascinating. We heard humorous tales of cross-eyed Cathy who gave a unique education to the teenaged Sun King.  The architecture was beautiful, but it will be the tales inhabitants that I remember most.  Peter’s animated style and group participation made this tour #1 in our book, and we recommend Paris-Walks without hesitation. The Marais tour meets at the metro St. Paul every Saturday at 10:30 am and costs 12 Euros, quite the bargain!

Our Tip: Arrive early to see the markets open and display their amazing produce, and stay on after the tour to shop in the wonderful boutiques and lunch in the cafes. I bought the most amazing scarves at Jocelyn’s and the most delicious cherries at the market. We drooled over the cheeses all 365 kinds.

Here are some Paris travel tips that will make  your journey safe, comfortable and fabulous.

#1  A Quick Brush Up On Our High School French
Linda found a terrific language learning program – EarWormsLearning.com.  Despite the crawly name, the concept is amazing.  They believe that you learn better, faster and with more recall when you learn with music.  So their language lessons come with music playing in the background.  We loved it and listened on our iPods all the way to Paris.

And for extra reassurance, we picked up a quick translation guide – 30 Words ($9.95).  These are terrific passport sized accordion folded translations of tourist phrases that are waterproof and tear-proof – perfect for toting around.

#2 – Find a Pickpocket proof way to carry our money.
This year I found Baggallini’s – awesome, durable, lightweight bags just made just for traveling.  They have lots of zippers and interior pockets and straps that let you switch from shoulder, to hand, to waist – etc.   We also picked up some super small collapsible nylon travel bags at Eddie Bauer and LL Bean – great designs!

#3 – How To Phone Home.
Verizon has an incredible International Phone program! If Verizon is your cell phone carrier, give them a call and they’ll mail you an international cell phone to use for a $15 fee – wow.  They will swap your phone number over to the new one and help you load up your important phone numbers.  Just pay for the calls you make – and yes, there are discounted plans for that.  When you get home, give them a call and they’ll switch your phone number back, mail back the phone and you’re done.

For those without Verizon service, you can purchase an inexpensive international phone from either Telestial or Mobal (under $50).  There is no calling plan or contract, just pay for the calls you make in over 150 countries at reasonable rates (incoming calls in much of Europe are free).

#4  – Taking The Stress Out of Touring and Sightseeing
We purchased the Paris Pass so we could take all the public transportation, enter museums without waiting in lines, take a Seine cruise, do a wine tasting – all while eliminating confusion and stress, AND it saved us money in the long run -perfect! We actually used the hop on/hop off bus (that was included in the Pass) to bounce around the city.  It was more entertaining than taking the Metro since we could sight-see while getting to our next destination.  You can order the Paris Pass online and it will be sent to you, or if you are on a last minute schedule like we were, order it online and pick it up at the Fat Tire Tour Company near the Eiffel Tower.

# 5 – Be a traveler not a tourist.
Linda and I wanted to experience Paris on a more personal level than just moving from place to place looking at art and architecture.  Three sources brought the city alive for us as we met and chatted with people and learned fascinating information about the city of Paris.

• First and foremost was Paris Greeters a free volunteer organization that connects you with an English speaking Parisian guide. – FABULOUS!  Here’s our article all about it – “Meeting The Friendly French”.

• Secondly we participated in Paris Walks run by Peter and Oriel Caine.  With Peter in the Marais, our group literally BECAME ancient Paris and enacted the city’s development through the centuries – amazing!  Their tours are congenial, entertaining and packed with fascinating information.  Just check the schedule of tours online and show up at the designated Metro stop at the appointed time – tours are a very affordable 12€ per person.

• Finally we clicked through the offerings on Viator.  Viator is a terrific site that aggregates local touring options.  Beyond the standard bus tours, there were lots of listings to meet with local Parisians.  You can take a cooking class, join a Parisian household for dinner, take an art class, be introduced to the intricacies and history of the perfume industry in France, and lots more.    If you haven’t visited Viator for awhile, we think you’ll be impressed with the depth of their touring choices.

#6 -  Making Our Euros Last
Frommer’s has just published a new series of travel guides for finding “Free & Dirt Cheap” city attractions!  I picked up the Paris Free & Dirt Cheap book and thumbed through the 387  listings of inexpensive activities in Paris.  I learned about free summer dance lessons along the banks of the Seine, free classical music performances, cheap chic eats, and lots more.  This little book is WELL worth the price!

Do you have a great insider’s Paris tip?  Share it in our comments section to share it with everyone!!

Susan and I were recent guests of this trendy property on rue de Ponthieu just a block behind the Champs-Élysées.  Knowing that city hotels in Europe are not like our hotels in the USA, we had no idea what to expect, but our hosts assured us the hotel was newly renovated and they were eager to have us tell our readers about their little dream property in Paris. If you have ever stayed at a W Hotel,  you will love The Beauchamp. Our rooms were modest in size but very well appointed and smartly decorated. The air conditioning was always working, the flat screen Television visible from anywhere in the room, and there was ample space for clothing.  Our rooms had all the comfort and amenities necessary for a great stay.

Upon our arrival, Damien greeted us and he could not be more welcoming.  While our rooms were not yet ready, our bags were stored with a smile, and assistance offered to help us get our bearings.  My cell phone needed charging, and Damien quickly offered to charge the phone while we were out sightseeing.  On our return a bit later, our rooms were ready and my phone was charged. As Susan and I headed up to the rooms, we were pleasantly surprised to see tall operable windows and bathrooms with plenty of space for all the toiletries, and a towel warmer.  The tub and shower was ultra modern and worked like a charm – hot, hot water!  Nevertheless, it was not until our return that evening that we fully understand the comfort of the Beauchamp Hotel. Awaiting us was bottled water and a bed SO comfortable that you sank immediately into sleep. As soon as my head it the pillow, I was fast into dreamland. I knew waking up in the morning I wouldn’t want to depart the unparalleled comfort of that bed!

Our breakfast was included with the room, and we found the restaurant to be charming and the food was both plentiful and delicious. Our server was equally welcoming and engaged in conversation immediately. The buffet has an artful display of croissants, breads, cheeses, fruits, eggs, meats, yogurts, etc. and fresh squeezed orange juice. The best part of Paris are the breads and cheeses and those were delicious. The dinner menu looked terrific and very reasonably priced as well.

Location is everything, and The Beauchamp Hotel is located near brasseries, cafes and plenty of nightlife.   (Sometimes a bit too much nightlife…. but after all it was the World Cup.)  You could easily wander out the door of the hotel in the evening and find countless opportunities for city nightlife.  We found the location very convenient to buzz in and out of during the day.  Especially after shopping excursions along the Champs-Elysees, it was just a quick detour to drop bundles back at the hotel.

Susan and I loved this hotel, and can highly recommend it for anyone looking for an intimate experience in a fabulous location – the Hotel Beauchamp won’t disappoint.

Additional Tips:

• If you are a light sleeper, you may want to request a room away from the street.
• The bathroom tubs are large and deep – a luxury in Europe.  If you have mobility problems the tall sides may give you a challenge.
• Check Expedia for specially negotiated rates!
  

As Linda and I make our away across the city from the broad perfumed boulevards of the Champs Elysee to the gritty, lyrical lanes of the Left Bank,  we are giddy with anticipation.  We are about to meet a new friend that we met a few weeks ago online thanks to the Paris Greeters organization.  Our Paris Greeter / guide, Laurent, has volunteered to show us his city on this particular Saturday afternoon.  We’ve been in touch by email to set a time and place to meet, discussed our mutual interests, and exchanged photos so we can recognize each other outside the Metro station.

Within minutes of meeting we are talking, laughing and already appreciating the nuances of Left Bank neighborhoods and seeing French culture through new eyes.  Beyond a litany of Louis’ and their royal accomplishments (how DO they keep 18 Louis straight?) we stroll by a Pierre Herme´ pastry shrine  (you really can’t call it a bake shop when there are 50 people waiting in line to get in the door!); then on to Gelati D’Alberto where the iced delights look like rose blossoms, and  of course we can’t resist ogling the decadent cheeses and fragrant produce at an open market.  Oh to be a Parisian on market day! Laurent schools us on choosing restaurants to dine in, “NEVER enter a restaurant that has ‘French Cuisine’ on the sign or menu”, he admonishes,  “they are just for poor unsuspecting tourist!”

We spend three hours in the company of our new Parisian friend, talking about families, jobs, health care, education, favorite books, recipes, vacation destinations,  all while being introduced to fascinating tidbits about life and leisure in the city of lights.  Did you know a 100 year flood is expected ‘anytime’ now?  Laurent explains, all residents of Paris have been issued an evacuation rating and specific instructions for leaving the city in case the Seine overflows it’s banks.  And all those museums with precious works of art have been preparing as well.  It’s sobering to see the high water mark still evident from the last 100 year flood in January 1910 – yikes!

As the afternoon comes to a close, we are of course reluctant to leave our guide – now good friend, Laurent.  There are promises of keeping in touch, and we are hoping he will visit Boston so we can return the favor.  We are totally amazed that there is NO COST to the Paris Greeters program. They are a dedicated group of volunteers who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their city and take great delight in revealing their favorite Paris haunts and discoveries to others.  On returning home we received a follow up email from Paris Greeters asking if we enjoyed our tour and inviting us to make a donation to their organization if we cared to.  We will be only too happy to donate to this wonderful organization – our time spent with Laurent was one of the most memorable experiences we have ever had in Paris.  Paris Greeters makes it very easy to donate as they accept both credit card and PayPal transactions.

To book your own tour with Paris Greeters, visit their website at http://www.parisgreeters.com a month or several weeks before your trip and fill out the online tour request form.  And be sure to look for Greeter programs in other cities around the world.  The trend is growing as more Greeter organizations form in cities worldwide.  Lastly, stay tuned, we’ll be posting an article soon with a directory of all the Greeter programs around the world.

Au Revoir Mes Amis!

We arrived at Washington Dulles and were able to check in at the British Airways lounge.  Graciously greeted and welcomed (what a novel idea of thanking the customer), we relaxed while waiting to board our flight to Paris. You are welcome to participate in pre-boarding dinning, cocktails, or simply to snack and use the business center. The lounge service was A+, and since they notify you when it’s time to board your flight. you to can relax in comfy seats and enjoy the view. Our evening flight to Paris was a short 6 hours, and didn’t quite live up to our expectations.  Our dinner and breakfast were fine (but not extraordinary), and we actually felt a bit neglected at times as the flight crew were busy trying to troubleshoot several personal entertainment devices that were not working properly. The plane was older than we anticipated which resulted in some difficulties with the seat recline mechanisms.   But hold on, Open Skies still deserved a 5 Star rating, read on…..

It Pays Not to Judge Too Soon

Fully prepared to experience the very same on our return, we were pleasantly surprised. Our Flight Attendant Michael on the return flight was extraordinary. Since the fight back was nearly 9 hours, the crew had a lot more time to expand the service and provide us with a  truly first class experience, which included complimentary wine and champagne, a three-course meal, and a snack prior to arrival.  The good news is… they serve a nice selection of food, although like most airline food it suffers a bit in translation. All the equipment was operational on this flight and the 9 hours flew by (no pun intended). It was one of the best flights we’ve had in a very long time, and we would definitely go out of our way to fly Open Skies again.  The fact that their pricing is considerably below British Air, Air France, Delta etc. for business seats is a considerable bonus.  (At writing, the round trip business seat fare is approx $1,500 in high season!)  Here are a few additional tips to insure a great flight:

• Order a special meal, they have many options and they seemed to be more carefully prepared than the normal “chicken or fish” options.
• The travel kit is quite sparse (socks, mini toothpaste and brush), so bring along your own mouthwash, eye covering, chap stick and face moisturizer.
• The crew is very accommodating, don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need.
• Make sure you get up and move those legs to prevent DVT
• Bring along your own in-seat entertainment (book, magazine, iPod) just in case the entertainment devises are finicky
• Be sure to fill out all the pre-boarding information online to expedite your airport check in
• It’s possible to book a Business Bed seat for the overnight flight to Europe and a Business Seat for the daytime return.

One of the major benefits of flying Open Skies is that you land at Orly Airport instead of Charles de Gaulle (think LaGuardia rather than JFK).  We walked off the plane, through customs, and were in a taxi within 5 minutes of landing!  The taxi ride into the city wandered through suburban Paris neighborhoods and cost approx. 35 € ($45).

In our opinion Open Skies is well worth the splurge. The price of their round trip business class flight may be only a few hundred dollars more than flying coach on another airline.  The seats are wide and comfortable, the meals are actually edible, and the service is friendly, efficient and engaging.  They actually look happy to see you – pinch me, have I returned to the 60′s?  If you are considering a trip to Europe, definitely give Open Skies a try.   You may just fall in love with flying again – and you DO deserve a little pampering on your next vacation!

#1 Tickets to Versailles -  Purchase tickets in advance if at all possible. Tickets are available on the Versailles website, and as an extra convenience, you can order your train ticket at the same time.  Each area of the Palace is priced separately unless you purchase the One Day Passport, which we highly recommend  (18 €).  The Passport gives you access to the chateau, the gardens, the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and recently re-opened, Marie Antionette’s farm village – all worth visiting.  If you purchased a Paris Pass for your trip, entry to all of the Versailles’ venues are included.

If you did not purchase your ticket in advance, there are two storefronts selling tickets as you walk from the Versailles Rive Gauche train station to the chateau. The first seller (across from the train station) often attracts long lines, so we suggest continuing 2 blocks further to the Versailles Tourism Office where the lines are usually considerably shorter and you can pick up plenty of brochures while you’re there.  They do charge an extra 2 €, but once you see the HUGE lines at Versailles itself, you will be all too happy you have tickets in hand.   If you wait to purchase your tickets until you reach the chateau, you are destined to wait in EXTREMELY long lines, cursing yourself for not picking your ticket up on the way.  The walk from the train station to the entrance of the chateau is about 4 blocks – 5 minutes of level walking.

#2 Getting to Versailles – We suggest taking the RER C train (called VICK – yellow) which we boarded from the station right outside of the d’Orsay Museum.  Tickets can be purchased at the automated machines – just press the large ‘To Versailles’ button.  (Your US credit card will not work in these machines, so bring along some Euros).   I believe our tickets were 6 € for 2, for the half hour journey.  It’s important to visit Versailles as early in the day as possible, as the crowds grow by the hour, especially on weekends.  Once you arrive (Versailles Rive Gauche station), stop at the ticket window and purchase your return ticket so you don’t have to wait in a long line at the end of the day.  Now just follow the crowd to the palace.

#3 Your visit: The palace is usually very crowded – always be on alert for pickpockets! We took along our iPods and used Rick Steve’s free audio tour – which was terrific (download free from iTunes).  There are also audio guides available at the entrance of the chateau for a small fee – but again it may involve long lines.  Now shuffle, shuffle, shuffle your way through – you’ll be glad to know the Trianon chateaus are far less crowded.  As you exit the palace, the gardens are SO compelling that you’ll be drawn to go exploring.  (Hopefully you took our advice and bought an passport ticket, so you won’t have to wait in yet another line to pay admission to the gardens).  Enjoy a leisurely stroll down through the magnificent gardens.  As you reach the courtyard mazes half way to the Grand Canal, you’ll find refreshment stands and toilets tucked into the greenery.  We sampled one of the 4 cheese pizzas -excellent!  Further on at the Grand Canal you’ll also find more formal restaurants if you want to relax while watching boaters on the canal.

Further on, you’ll find the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon – smaller less formal palaces built when Kings got bored with life up at the chateau.  And finally tucked into the rolling valley behind the Trianon palaces, you’ll come upon Marie Antionette’s charming and picturesque farm village, where nobility pretended to be simple folk tending their perfumed sheep.  No wonder there was a revolution!  Right about now your feet will be screaming in revolt as well.  You won’t care what it costs to hop the tram back to chateau, just fork over the cash and climb on board!

To visit all of the palaces (with a few breaks to message your toes in-between), allow about 5 hours. And on days when there is a water and/or music show, you’ll need an additional hour (shows are an extra fee of course).  There are also golf carts and bicycles for rent if you want to visit at a faster pace.

So plan a full day to visit all of the magnificence that is Versailles.  Wear your most comfortable shoes and bring along a bit of patience.  The entire estate is simply magical and you’ll be glad that you’re visiting it on your own so you can poke in nooks and crannies and take a breather whenever you like.  You’ll leave with a new appreciation for the building prowess of Louis the 14th, 15th and 16th!

There’s a hidden treasure in Europe that everyone with kids needs to know about – family friendly holiday vacation villages built to entertain families in high style.

For most of us the thought of visiting Europe with the kids in tow conjures visions of  faces buried in tourist maps, schlepping between famous monuments, endless magnificent churches, countless museums and a castle or two.   I suggest you throw a bit of frivolity into your family vacation to Europe with a stay at one of Europe’s family friendly vacation villages – also known as holiday villages, parcs and camps.  There are hundreds of holiday villages scattered throughout Europe specifically designed for family vacation fun.  Each village offers comfortable family style accommodations and is centered around an impressive water feature that provides nonstop entertainment within the park.  Many have a covered ‘water world’ as well, so even on rainy days the fun doesn’t stop.  There are kids clubs offering supervised activities based on age, sports facilities, golf, hiking, biking, zip lines, horseback riding, and a multitude of diversions based on area attractions.  And did I mention the prices are less than you’d be paying at a city hotel?  Here’s a look at three of Europe’s most popular holiday village developers.

Sunparks offer family friendly villa accommodations in holiday villages throughout the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France.  Have you been hankering to visit Provence, St. Tropez and Cannes but thought it was an adults only vacation destination?  You’ll be happy to know that you can rent a Sun Park villa for a week and bounce around the Riviera to your heart’s content.  Be sure to check out their last minute specials, and great discounts offered to travelers age 55+ (up to 40% off)!

Center Parcs has established 17 impressive villages tucked into natural park landscapes throughout Europe.  If your family loves spending time by a scenic lake surrounded by forest, these villages may be the perfect choice.  Accommodations are in a bungalow or villa that feature cozy living rooms with fireplaces and floor to ceiling windows to bring the outdoors in.  The villages offer a huge variety of sporting activities,  ususally a “domed subtropical swimming paradise”, climbing walls and rope courses,  imaginative playground structures, game rooms, golf, tennis, and a great variety of restaurants and shops.  Wouldn’t your kids just love to play Robin Hood and his merry men at this Parc in Sherwood Forest?  Have a look at their photo slide show – it’s amazing!  Sherwood Forest Center Parc

Eurocamp is not just about camping (although you may go gaga over their 3 bedroom tents!), they also offer stays in a variety of bungalows and holiday homes.  This is a large operation with 160 camp developments in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and more.  Eurocamps are like huge nature resorts offering every entertainment imaginable for family fun.  Their goal is to provide a setting where families can “play in safety from dawn til dusk”.  Imagine spending a week at a fabulous vacation village perched at the edge of Lake Garda in the Italian lakes district – it’s very appropriately named “Eden”!

So the next time you’re planning an excursion over to Europe, investigate a stay at a ‘vacation village’.  Your entire family will relax and enjoy new experiences together while meeting fellow vacationers from across Europe.  Since these villages are marketed extensively in the UK, English is widely spoken.  Be sure to read the descriptions of the accommodations carefully as definitions of a “bungalow” vary widely between companies and locations.  We think you’ll find the pricing irresistible – many in the $500 per week range for a villa that accommodates a family of four.  And remember, this is where all of Europe goes to take their summer vacation, so if you’ll be traveling in July and August, you’ll have plenty of company!

Sea Palace St. Maarten

Can a week’s vacation get any cheaper than this? I’ve just been reading Arthur Frommer’s Blog (great resource of top travel info), and learned about this insanely great sale.  A full week’s vacation in a resort rental apartment (studio, 1 bedroom or 2 bedrooms) for a mere $199 per week. That’s not per person folks, it’s per unit for a full 7 days.  And these are not some flea bag properties, they are from the apartment rental division of Wyndham Hotels – Endless Vacation Rentals.  There are resort properties located all across the USA, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe!  I just can’t stop using !!!! this is such a great deal.

Here’s the main catch…. this is a “blowout” sale on the Wyndham Vacation last minute site.  You only have until 4pm on Friday 5/21/10 to reserve your vacation at this amazing price, and travel must take place within 30 days.    Can’t get away for a full week?  No problem, check out early (the price is still worth it)…. or split the booking with some friends and each stay a few days…that would be a vacation for $100!!!!

Now if you just can’t carve out some vacation time in the next 30 days, this is a site you should definitely bookmark and keep an eye on.  The last minute page always offers properties at amazing rates that are available for travel within 30 days. The standard rate right at the moment would be $349 per week for a studio apartment, up to $399 per week for a 2 bedroom – still a fabulous deal.  I think this is going to be my new go-to site for booking quick getaways.

Here’s my suggested strategy for cashing in on these offers:

Strategy #1
Pick a few locations from the destination list
Look for available frequent flyer seats and grab them
Go back to the Wyndham site and book the apt rental

Strategy #2
Select a destination that is served by a low cost airline (JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, AirTran etc) and look for a great airfare.  Combine that fare with a one week rental from the Wyndham site.

Strategy #3
See a great airline sale…freeze some seats, check the Wyndham last minute site for an apartment rental.

Make your friends incredulous with envy…”You paid WHAT for  your vacation????!!!!!!”  You have to love it when that happens!